Blue Ridge has four new starters at the wide receiver positions, but the one getting the ball to the them is three-year starter Jake Smith.

The combination came together nicely Friday night when Smith, the Tigers' senior quarterback, completed 23 of 39 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-19 victory over visiting Landrum.

It was a good bounce-back game for Blue Ridge, which lost its opener against Belton-Honea Path, the sixth-ranked team in Class AAAA, 42-0.

It was also a good lift for the new receiving corps, comprised of juniors Colby Johnson, Jalen Smith and Hunter Byers, all of whom were on the junior varsity last season; and Devon Diggins, a transfer from Byrnes.

Johnson had seven catches for 134 yards, including touchdown receptions of 3, 15 and 59 yards. Byers had four catches for 57 yards and a score, Diggins four for 46 and a score and Smith four for 61.

The Blue Ridge defense was equally efficient, limiting Landrum to one score through three quarters, and the first unit allowed only 12 points.

Senior linebacker Christian Diaz (18 total tackles, two for loss) and senior linemen Austin Atkins and Jacob Lloyd led the Tigers' defense.

"Having that senior leadership is what we're striving to get from these guys, Blue Ridge coach Shane Clark said, "and some of them are starting to have some lights come on, and hopefully it'll continue to click."

The Tigers will go on the road for the first time this week, playing at Riverside (1-1), and Clark said he hopes they'll build on the victory.

"We can't be satisfied with that," he said. "We've got to pick up and go from here."

WEEK 3 AREA SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Dorman at Hillcrest
West-Oak at Christ Church
Greer at Clinton
Seneca at Daniel
Carolina at Greenville
Mauldin at Mann
Easley at Belton-Honea Path
Wren at Powdersville
Liberty at Pickens
Blue Ridge at Riverside
McCormick at Southside Christian
Walhalla at Travelers Rest
St. Joseph’s at Ware Shoals
Wade Hampton at Woodmont
Palmetto at Pendleton
Emerald at Abbeville
Newberry at Batesburg-Leesville
Hanna at Boiling Springs
Don Bosco (N.J.) at Byrnes
Augusta Chr. (Ga.) at Calhoun Falls
Laurens at Chapman
Camden Military at Dixie
Westside at Hart Co. (Ga.)
Blacksburg at Indian Land
Broome at Landrum
Ridge View at Ninety Six
Etowah (Ga.) at Spartanburg
York at Union Co.
Ridge Spring-Monetta Whitmire
Chesnee at Woodruf

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